One of the main reasons why I buy collector's and limited editions of games is for the extra bonus of that game's particular soundtrack. Video game scores offer a great accompaniment to its visual counterpart but oftentimes are overlooked for how much they truly affect the emotional experience of the game. From early "bloops" and "bleeps" to fully orchestrated ten hour arrangements - video game music has evolved and continues to develop as an amazing way to add artistic expression to an industry already filled with creativity.I was once asked by a fellow music student what would be the future of classical music. Would it be in up and coming pianists like Lang Lang who had gained international fame. Would it be from competitions like the one hosted by the Van Cliburn Foundation which brings the best young pianists from around the world. Or would it be from the proliferation of the Asian and East European countries and their affinity for the niche genre of music. I answered that it would be found in composers like Oshima Michiru, Inon Zur, and Uematsu Nobuo - video game music composers. Why? I have never been able to fully discuss the techniques of Chopin or debate who composed the best piano concerto within my own generation (though I'm sure there are many my age who love the classical works) but I have been able to talk about the emotional pull of Ico's "You Were There" or how powerful Dragon Age: Origins' music is. And do I even have to give an example of what Uematsu's work has done in the video game industry? It may not be composed by people in the 17th century but it is a form of classical music with its sweeping arrangements, use of renaissance polyphony, and performed by grand orchestras (or amazing soloists). Video game music has introduced so many young and old gamers to a genre of music they probably had never truly listened to outside of the popular Fur Elise and others. Concerts like Video Games Live has shown how popular and loved these songs are, hosting numerous concerts around the world. I've had the pleasure of attending Play! A Video Game Symphony and being able to hear music from games like Oblivion live with 50 plus instruments and a full choir - exhilarating.
And don't think that video game composers aren't on par with the more classically renowned composers from years past. Just take my favorite, Oshima Michiru. She has worked on many games including Legend of Legaia, Zelda: Twilight Princess, and my personal favorite Ico. She has also composed arguably the best anime score for FullMetal Alchemist and has won numerous awards for her work. While not all of the video game soundtracks I own are of the highest quality, I have been impressed with some of the newer scores that have come out this year. For me, the most surprising was Mafia II's score. Even though the game has a lot of period songs, its original score both fits within the game's theme yet adds a sophisticated artistic layer in both the melody and instruments used. So, next time you pop in a game to play, don't forget to appreciate one of the best things about video games - the music.
